[pct-l] how do long distance hikers make a living?

[Derek Fohs]

I do taxes and have several clients that call themselves "travelers". They are nurses, respiratory therapists, and similar medical professionals that take on short term contracts around the country. When working OT and night shifts they usually make $90K+. But again, they are mostly 20-30 somethings that haven't settled down with family and mortgage obligations. 
 
I've figured out that my job allows me to spend 1-2 weeks a year section hiking the PCT without sacrificing family vacation time. I hope to do it with continuity year after year after year without driving friends/family crazy with obsessive PCT behavior. 
 

> Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2011 21:03:24 -0700
> From: dthibaul07 at gmail.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] how do long distance hikers make a living?
> 
> One hiker I met was a Nurse, apparently there are lots of short term
> contract nursing jobs that pay pretty well.
> He would contract for 6 to 18 months, then hike or bike (he rode a bike a
> lot too) between jobs. Did this for years and
> made pretty good $ too.
> 
> 
> I also met someone that worked at McMurdo Station - South Pole as a cook.
> Worked on 6 month contracts. Worked winters hiked summers.
> 
> -- Day-Late
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > any thru and long distance hikers, or simply those who hike for more
> > than 2 days at a time multiple times per month or year...how do you
> > generate
> > income? I'm in my late twenties, recently married with a mortgage and a job
> > with limited vacation days. I am considering changing careers so I can live
> > my dream of hiking for extended periods of time multiple times per year. Do
> > you guys have any suggestions or experiences as to careers that support
> > such
> > a lifestyle?
> > .
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